Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia 'Georgia Pancake'
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: blue star
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Apocynaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 1 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Description: Pale blue
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Wildlife: Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Deer
Uses: Groundcover

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers loamy soils with regular moisture. Best fall foliage color usually occurs in full sun, but flowers generally last longer if given some light afternoon shade in hot sun areas. This compact cultivar needs no pruning after flowering.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Amsonia ciliata var. filifolia is native from southern Missouri to Florida and Texas into Mexico. It is most often found growing in sandy areas and along rocky shores. In southern Missouri, it is typically found in limestone glades, bald knobs and limestone bluff escarpments along streams in two counties in the area of the White River (Steyermark). It is commonly called bluestar or fringed bluestar. It is a compact, clump-forming plant that features terminal clusters of star-like, powdery blue flowers (to 1/2”) in mid spring atop erect stems rising to only 12” tall. ‘Georgia Pancake’ is a nearly prostrate variety that was reportedly discovered growing in the wild in sandhills in central Georgia. It typically reaches only 4-5” tall but spreads to 24” wide forming an interesting ground cover of needle-like, soft green leaves. Tiny, pale blue flowers bloom at the branch ends in May. Foliage turns attractive shades of yellow in fall. Specific epithet means hairy-margined in reference to the fringe of hairs found on new leaves and stems of plants in this species (hence the sometimes used common name of fringed bluestar).

Problems

No known serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Border fronts, rock gardens or open woodland areas. Best when massed as a ground cover.